North Carolina announces $50M Broadband Recovery Program to rebuild after Hurricane Helene

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein on Monday announced a $50 million Broadband Recovery Program, to provide grants to internet service providers for the rebuild and repair of broadband infrastructure destroyed by Hurricane Helene last September.

In August, Stein signed legislation allocating American Rescue Plan Act funds to be spent on grants for ISPs as part of a larger spending bill. Hurricane Helene damaged communities in western North Carolina, knocking out some parts of the state’s emergency communications infrastructure. Thousands of home, business and community high-speed internet connections were offline for weeks, and more than one year later, some areas remain offline.

Under the new Broadband Recovery Program, internet service providers in North Carolina that have infrastructure projects in the 39 Hurricane Helene disaster-designated counties, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal community, may apply for funding for reconstruction or repair of broadband infrastructure. The program will prioritize funding for the restoration of broadband service, said a news release from the governor’s office.

“We are working hard to rebuild western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, and that includes making sure folks have access to high-speed internet services,” Stein said in the release. “With these investments, western North Carolinians can stay connected and more easily get back on their feet – whether seeking resources, applying for a job online, starting a business, or going to school.”

Affected internet service providers can apply for grants until Nov. 24.

“Connectivity is essential to resilience,” North Carolina Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione said in the release. “As we help western North Carolina recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, restoring broadband service is critical to ensuring communities can rebuild stronger, safer, and more connected than before.”